All News

INTERVIEW: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has a tough decision to make. He has to choose between going for experience or backing the new kid on the block at flyhalf.

VIDEO: Two yellow cards and a red don't win you World Cups, said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus after his new-look Bok team's spirited 64-21 victory over Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REACTION: Joe Schmidt admits the Wallabies must rise to another level to compete with the Springboks after surviving a scare to keep their unbeaten run under the new coach alive with a hard-earned 40-29 victory over Georgia.

WATCH as Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo reviews his team's Currie Cup win over the Cheetahs and the 'special star' that emerged.

VIDEO: Portugal opened the scoring in the Test against the Springboks in the perfect way possible with a length-of-the-pitch try that signified their guts and passion to give it their all against the world champions.

MATCH REPORT: Fullback Kyle Rowe scored his first two international tries as an experimental Scotland side recovered from a sticky start in sunny Santiago to break the resolve of plucky Chile and run out 52-11 winners.

OPINION: The Springboks concluded the July international window with a 64-21 win over Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the one-off Test between South Africa and Portugal in Bloemfontein.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick added his voice to that of the most decorated referee in the world, Wayne Barnes on the appointment of Hollie Davidson as the Test referee in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks ended the July international window with a 64-21 win over Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REACTION: New Zealand captain Scott Barrett said a Fiji side that was close to full strength proved combative during their Test match in San Diego.

MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks recorded a 47-5 win over Fiji scoring seven impressive tries in a game that saw some new faces shine in San Diego on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Wallabies have survived a scare to keep their unbeaten run under Joe Schmidt alive with a hard-earned 40-29 victory over Georgia in Sydney.

OPINION: The All Blacks have made it three wins from as many Tests under coach Scott Robertson after dispatching Fiji 47-5 at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego. Playing in the US-of-A, the New Zealanders put on an attacking clinic as the scoreboard suggests.

WRAP: England denied defending champions France a fourth consecutive Under-20 title by defeating them 21-13 in the World Rugby U20 Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The Jekyll and Hyde Pumas bounced back from one of their worst defeats to beat the Sharks 31-21 in an entertaining Currie Cup match at Kings Park in Durban on Friday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Sharks and Pumas at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Bulls and Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls ended the defending champion Cheetahs' winning start to their title defence.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Lions and Griquas at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions retained their winning start to the Currie Cup with a 25-13 win over a gritty Griquas team at an empty Ellis Park in Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: England prop Harry Williams has joined Pau as injury cover for Tonga's Siate Tokolahi, the French Top 14 club announced on Friday.

VIDEO: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi can expect a call from new Bok captain Salmaan Moerat on Friday night ahead of the Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson confirmed that Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff will return to the playing field soon.

OPINION: Ireland’s win over the Springboks means we’re no closer to declaring with any certainty which of the two teams is the best in the world.

PREVIEW: History is on the cards when the Springboks host Portugal in a one-off Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REPORT: Warren Gatland’s Welsh side ended one of the longest seasons in the history of the game with a morale-boosting 36-35 win over the Reds, ending their eight-match losing streak in 2024.

EXCLUSIVE: @rugby365com reporter Angus Opperman sat down with two-time World Cup winning wing Cheslin Kolbe who shared his thoughts on this weekend's team to face Portugal and Salmaan Moerat being named captain.  

PREVIEW: Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named a several changes to his matchday squad for Saturday's clash against Uruguay in Maldonado.

PREVIEW: Scotland will be led by Sione Tuipulotu and Jamie Ritchie in the third Americas tour match against Chile this Saturday at Estadio Nacional in Santiago.

PREVIEW: The showdown between the Bulls and the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld will headline Round Three's fixtures in the 2024 Currie Cup season.

VIDEO: It is not often that friends get to share their debut for the Springboks together, but on Saturday two friends from Bloemfontein will do just that when South Africa hosts Portugal in a one-off Test.

WATCH as retired refereeing legend Nigel Owens unpacks some hotly debated talking points during the second Test between South Africa and Ireland.

PREVIEW: Wallabies skipper Allan Alaalatoa stressed on Friday the importance of maintaining momentum under new coach Joe Schmidt, forecasting a physical game against Georgia this weekend.

PREVIEW: All Black head coach Scott Robertson said Beauden Barrett's form could not be ignored when he selected his team to face Fiji in San Diego.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand made 11 changes to the team to face Fiji in San Diego, with Beauden Barrett starting at fullback, a debut for centre Billy Proctor and five uncapped players on the bench.

NEWS: Ulster have announced that forwards coach Roddy Grant has left the province after five years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Portugal head coach Simon Mannix has named his matchday 23 to face the Springboks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

VIDEO: Lukhanyo Am is back in from the cold and ready to face Portugal but he says it has been a topsy-turvy time for him battling injury and being back with a struggling Sharks team.

FINALS PREVIEW: The 2024 World Rugby Under-20 Championship will come to an end on Friday with England up against France in the Final at Cape Town Stadium.

TEAM UPDATE: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reduced his squad from 41 to 25 players for the Portugal Test.

EXCLUSIVE: Listen as Portugal's captain Tomas Appleton describes the opportunity to face those players they have only watched on television and who have influenced their game.

NEWS: SA Rugby was excited about the prospect of working with the newly appointed minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, it said following a meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday.

WATCH as the Boks Office team - host Hanyani Shimange, along with Springbok legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers - tackle the never-ending debate about who is the best team in the world.

PREVIEW: Waterkloof will line up local giants Affies this weekend, while Grey College and DHS will be out to prove a point in the derbies staged in Bloemfontein and Durban.

NEWS: Two French international players accused of raping a woman while on tour in Argentina were temporarily granted house arrest Wednesday after a week in detention, the prosecutor's office said.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt named his third captain in as many Tests with Allan Alaalatoa in charge against Georgia, while wing Darby Lancaster will make his debut among 10 changes to the starting side.

OPINION: New Zealand-based columnist Ben Smith takes aim at the South African game, less than a month out from the start of the Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Siviwe Soyizwapi believes the BlitzBoks has what it takes to prove doubters wrong and win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

SPOTLIGHT: There were a couple of familiar faces on the training field at the Stormers' headquarters in Bellville this week.

SPOTLIGHT: All Black assistant coach Leon MacDonald says there is no way his team can drop their guard against Fiji in San Diego this weekend.

PREVIEW: Former Rugby League star Regan Grace will make his Wales debut against the Reds after being named by coach Warren Gatland in the starting side Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: The deck is still stacked against the smaller nations and at the World Cup last year, the great divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ was once again highlighted.

REACTION: Florian Grill, the President of the French Rugby Federation, declared that the sport would impose a "zero tolerance" policy towards anti-social behaviour from players.

REACTION: A lawyer for two French international players charged with raping a woman while on tour in Argentina has told AFP he remained convinced of their innocence in a "very painful case for everyone."

VIDEO: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was adamant that the team he selected for the one-off Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday is not a 'B-Team'.

NEWS: Hosts South Africa will face Japan in the opening game of the 2024 edition of WXV Two.

NEWS: South Africa will start their Rugby Championship campaign next month without four of their star players.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa and Portugal will go head-to-head for the first time in a Test, when they face off in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: South Africa has a new captain for the one-off Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Off-contract James O'Connor can push his case for a new deal when he returns at No.10 for Queensland's clash with the touring Wales in Brisbane.

NEWS: The World Anti-Doping Agency has extended the suspension of Africa’s only accredited drug-testing laboratory.

NEWS: All Black hooker Norm Hewitt, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, has died aged 55.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls backline coach Kennedy Tsimba braces himself for a bittersweet reunion when Cheetahs visit Loftus Versfeld on Friday for a Currie Cup Round Three fixture.

VIDEO: There will be some fresh new faces in the Springbok team that will host Portugal in a one-off Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has identified key areas he needs to work on to be a leader in the Springbok backline.

SPOTLIGHT: Author and poet George Macdonald once wrote: 'A beast does not know that he is a beast, and the nearer a man gets to being a beast, the less he knows it'.

NEWS: The Springboks have lost some ground at the top of the World Rugby rankings.

NEWS: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up five players to the squad for their closing match of the mid-year Tests against Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REACTION: Western Province captain Willie Engelbrecht believes "silly individual errors" were the main cause behind his team's defeat to the Cheetahs on Saturday.

REACTION: France's tour of Argentina and Uruguay, overshadowed by the off-the-field behaviour by three squad members, was a "collective trauma" centre Antoine Frisch told media.

WRAP: Affies and Jeppe flexed their attacking muscles to start the second phase of the schoolboy season with a bang.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted that his team's attacking game against Ireland in Durban fell flat after Willie le Roux was forced to leave the field.

OPINION: The Springboks failed to live up to their own high standards in a drawn series to Ireland that felt more like a loss, writes @rugby365com contributor Jon Cardinellii.

REACTION: It's all or nothing for the 'hurting' South African Under-20 team, as they look to bounce back in the seventh-place play-off on Friday. 

WRAP: France made a statement as they dismantled New Zealand by 55-31 to hand the Baby Blacks their heaviest defeat in history at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday evening in the World Rugby U20 Championship semfinals.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls hardly broke a sweat as they cruised to a 52-10 win over the Griffons in a Currie Cup Round Two fixture in Welkom on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between the Griffons and Bulls in Welkom.

NEWS: France captain Baptiste Serin applauded his side's efforts in their defeat in the second of two tests against Argentina after a 'complicated' week for the national team. 

SPOTLIGHT: The spectacle between two top-ranked sides shows the game is in a good space, according to Ireland coach Andy Farrell.

OPINION: It was drama in Durban as Ireland pulled off a last-gasp win to square the series after a sneaky drop goal by Ireland replacement Ciaran Frawley.

REACTION: Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp says her side will take the learnings from their defeat to the Black Ferns. 

REACTION: All Black coach Scott Robertson admitted he has a selection conundrum.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland remains upbeat about coaching Wales despite torrid run after series loss to Australia.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the Ireland players after their last-gasp 25-24 win over South Africa in Durban.

REACTION: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was a delighted figure following his team's historic 25-24 win over South Africa on Saturday at Kings Park Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok players were not on the same page during Saturday's series decider against Ireland in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: Argentina gained revenge for last week's loss when they beat France 33-25 in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

REACTION: Coach Joe Schmidt could make at least five changes for the Wallabies' last Test before the Rugby Championship begins.

MATCH REPORT: Ciaran Frawley announced his arrival on the Test stage as a true match winner, slotting two late drop-goals to secure a hard-earned one-point win for Ireland over South Africa in Durban on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies have won two matches in as many starts under new coach Joe Schmidt after beating Wales 36-28 in Melbourne. That result backs up their heroics from last weekend, with the men in gold beating the Welsh in Sydney on July 6.

OPINION: Wales player ratings: Joe Schmidt’s Australia delivered an all-action performance to edge out Wales 36-28 in a closely contested showdown in Melbourne.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the second Test between Australia and Wales in Melbourne.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the second Test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs showed why they are the Currie Cup champions when they downed a lackluster Western Province 37-17 in the Currie Cup in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: The Under-20 Championship semifinals are set, with the pool stage having come to an end in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: Georgia denied Eddie Jones his first win of his second stint as Japan coach after scoring a late try to claim a 25-23 victory in Sendai on Saturday.

REACTION: All Black coach Scott Robertson said New Zealand need to improve after his side came from behind to beat England in the second Test to secure the series 2-0.

MATCH REPORT: Australia held out for a thrilling series win against Wales in Melbourne on Saturday, dispatching the visitors by 36-28.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand kept their Auckland record intact with a hard-fought 24-17 win over England on Saturday.

OPNION: The All Blacks were made to work for a 24-17 win over England at Eden Park to complete a 2-0 series win.

OPINION: England leave New Zealand with zero wins from two matches, but they were two matches that showed how evenly matched both sides are as the 16-15 win for the All Blacks was followed by a 24-17 victory.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the second Test between New Zealand and England at Eden Park in Auckland.

UMHLANGA, DURBAN - Ireland No.8 Caelan Doris braces for an intense loose forward battle when he leads his side against South Africa on Saturday at Kings Park Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick is a very keen observer of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's growth in the Springbok set-up.

THE SECOND TEST: France coach Fabien Galthie admitted that the events of the last week have traumatised his team as they prepare for Saturday's second Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

MATCH REPORT: Duhan van der Merwe scored a record-equalling 27th international try as Scotland romped past the United States 42-7 in the latest stop on their July tour of North and South America.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions ran riot in Nelspruit as they scored a massive 75-21 win over the Pumas.

NEWS: The two Test players were formally charged on Friday with the aggravated rape of an Argentine woman - following a night out after a match, according to a prosecution statement. 

UMHLANGA, DURBAN:  Head coach Andy Farrell stated that informing Peter O'Mahony that he was dropped as captain for the upcoming Test against South Africa was an 'easy conversation' because of the 34-year-old's personality.  

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi cannot understand why certain individuals are still questioning his team's tactics.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland sought clarity from World Rugby regarding some crucial Television Match Officials calls that went against them in the first Test against Springboks at Loftus Versfeld.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas fought back from a 24-7 half-time deficit to clinch a dramatic 34-31 Victory in Kimberley.

NEWS: The fixtures of the EPCR 2024/5 season of the Champions and Challenge Cup competitions has been announced by the EPCR. 

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women’s Sevens team left South Africa on Friday with a firm understanding of what their first participation at the Olympic Games means, not only to the players selected in the squad but also to those who came before them.

NEWS: Former rugby internationals Matthew Cooper and Erin Rush have been elected as the President and Vice President of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

PREVIEW: South Africa's premier domestic competition got a timely boost with the return of a rash of Springboks - albeit for one week.

MATCH REPORT: Italy recorded an emphatic 36-14 victory over Tonga in Nuku'alofa on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have made no secret about their desire to get more dominance with their powerful forward pack in the second Test against Ireland.

THE SECOND TEST: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus expects Ireland's fighting spirit to be on full display in Saturday's series decider in Durban.

PREVIEW: All Blacks will be out to secure a series sweep and extend their 30-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park when they face England on Saturday.

SECOND TEST PREVIEW: Australia has a new captain in James Slipper when they face Wales in the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday and Wales are desperate to prevent a ninth consecutive loss.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina takes on France in Buenos Aires on Saturday and Les Bleus has the opportunity of completing an unbeaten three-match tour of South America.

PREVIEW: The extreme weather conditions in the Western Cape have necessitated the postponement of all upcoming fixtures this weekend.

NEWS: World Rugby has revealed the latest ranking permutations for the internationals and shows that Ireland stays in the hunt for the top spot but can also drop to third position. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: BlitzBoks interim head coach Philip Snyman has named his 14-man squad that will chase gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Defence coach Simon Easterby admitted that Ireland's management is in a bit of a selection conundrum ahead of the Test against South Africa at Kings Park in Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Andy Farrell has named the Ireland team for Saturday's second Test against South Africa in Durban.

NEWS: With the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season fresh behind us, the Highlanders shifted their focus to 2025 with the announcement of two signings. 

SPOTLIGHT: Fiji are banking on bagging Olympic gold for the third-straight time in Paris after the return of veteran playmaker Jerry Tuwai - following a turbulent time on and off the field. 

REACTION: England coach Steve Borthwick has stepped up his efforts to unsettle New Zealand ahead of Saturday's second Test.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland demands better discipline from his side to break a 55-year drought in Australia when the two sides clash in Melbourne this weekend. 

NEWS: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus released nine players who are not involved in Saturday's series decider against Ireland to feature in the Currie Cup this weekend.

VIDEO: The Currie Cup still has a huge role to play in South Africa albeit to breed the next generation coming through says Werner Kruger, forwards coach of the Bulls' Currie Cup side.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named his side for the series decider in Melbourne this coming Saturday - with four changes being made from the outfit that went down to Australia in Sydney last week.

NEWS: The Sharks have been bolstered by six Springboks in the side that will travel to Kimberley to face Griquas on Friday evening.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Wallabies' captaincy merry-go-round will continue with last week's skipper Liam Wright ruled out of the second Test against Wales due to injury.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick made only one injury-enforced change to the side that narrowly went down to the All Blacks this past Saturday. 

INTERVIEW: The lawyer of an Argentine woman who has accused two French international players of rape.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Finlay Christie will replace the injured TJ Perenara in the only change to the New Zealand team to face England in Auckland on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: France beat Uruguay 43-28 in Montevideo on Wednesday in the visitors' first game since two of their players were arrested on suspicion of rape.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland defense coach Simon Easterby has outlined his team's defensive task ahead of this weekend's second Test against South Africa in Durban. 

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Damian de Allende was in awe of his midfield partner during last weekend's first Test against Ireland in Pretoria.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks were once again asked to respond to criticism levelled at their 'Bomb Squad'.

WATCH as the Boks Office crew - host Hanyani Shimange, with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger - analyse the 2024 version of Handre Pollard.

NEWS: One of the most exciting flyhalves in New Zealand, Josh Ioane has signed with Irish club Connacht for the 2024/25 season.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens interim head coach Philip Snyman stuck to the group that won the Olympic Repechage tournament in Monaco last month when he announced the team to represent South Africa at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

REACTION: South Africa does not want to be defined by their defeats to England and Argentina in the pool phase of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Duane Vermeulen's intimate knowledge of the modern game and his familiarity with the current crop of Test players is something the Springboks are feeding off.

ROUND THREE WRAP: South Africa Under-20 failed to book a World Rugby U20 Championship 2024 semifinal spot after a 12-17 defeat to England on Thursday.

NEWS: The fate of French national rugby players Hugo Aradou and Oscar Jegou, accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on tour in Argentina, is now in the hands of the South American country's justice system.

OPINION: A street-smart approach to the breakdown will maximise the Springboks' burgeoning attack in the second Test against Ireland in Durban this Saturday.

NEWS: World Rugby confirmed that the Under-20 Championship match between Ireland and Australia at the Athlone Stadium has been cancelled.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Retired international referee Jaco Peyper has backed the Television Match Official in last Saturday's Test at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Tony Brown wants to change the way fans view Damian de Allende on the playing field.

NEWS: The cash crunch squeezing the game in Australia has forced the national body to reclaim control of the Brumbies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Rassie Erasmus named the most experienced team in Springbok history.

NEWS: Newlands has been 'sold'.

NEWS: Former All Black loose forward Jamie Joseph will take charge of the Highlanders in 2025, the Super Rugby team said Tuesday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby said Tuesday that a timer will be introduced for goal-kickers in Saturday's second Test between the All Blacks and England, following Damian McKenzie's blunder last weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: When the Irish take the field against the Springboks at Kings Park on Saturday, it will only be their second-ever meeting in the Shark Tank.

NEWS: Two members of the French national team touring South America were arrested in Argentina on Monday following an allegation of sexual assaul.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok star-flank Pieter-Steph du Toit revealed that squad depthwas the key to his team's success against Ireland.

NEWS: Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan will miss the second Test against world champions South Africa in Durban on Saturday, a member of the touring party told media on Monday

REACTION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus knows Ireland is planning a massive comeback when the two teams meet in the second Test in Durban on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' use of the famous 'Bomb squad' against Ireland has not gone down well in some parts of the rugby fraternity.

PREVIEW: South Africa faces England in a do-or-die face-off at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday - Round Three of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

NEWS: France rugby captain Antoine Dupont will go in search of Olympic gold later this month after being named on Monday in the 12-man sevens squad for the Paris games by the French Rugby Federation (FFR).

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok attack coach Tony Brown believes Handre Pollard's wayward goal-kicking in the first Test against Ireland in Pretoria was down to fatigue.

NEWS: The Springbok Sevens 'A' side finished the Africa Sevens Series at Labourdonnais Sports Grounds in Mauritius in second place on Sunday.

VIDEO: Ireland coach Andy Farrell firmly believes his side can still draw the Test series against South Africa.

 ROUND FOUR WRAP: In the First Division, the Boland Cavaliers continued with their winning ways by bagging their fourth consecutive victory, while there were away wins for the Falcons and Eastern Province.

INJURED: New Zealand confirmed that injured scrumhalf TJ Perenara will miss Saturday's second and final Test against England.

NEWS: Fullback Melvyn Jaminet has been removed from France's squad after a video of him making racist comments was published on social media, the French Rugby Federation announced on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls got their Currie Cup campaign underway with a 30-25 win over Western Province in a scrappy match in monsoon-like conditions in Cape Town on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round One match between Western Province and the Bulls in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: Gus Warr, Dylan Richardson and Arron Reed each scored two tries to lead Scotland in a 73-12 rout over host Canada at the weekend.

NEWS: Uncapped Northampton looseheads Emmanuel Iyogun, 23, has been called up as a replacement for the injured England prop Joe Marler.

VIDEO: Ireland coach Andy Farrell said he had ‘dubious’ thoughts about some of the TMO decisions in his sides’ 20-27 loss to South Africa at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

REACTION: It was a case of taking the good with the bad for Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus following his team's win over Ireland for the first time in eight years.

SPOTLIGHT: Under pressure Wales head coach Warren Gatland says his inexperienced side must learn how to handle pressure after going down to Australia which marked their eighth defeat in a row, but he is confident they can turn the corner. 

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand scrumhalf TJ Perenara and England prop Joe Marler are in doubt for the second Test in Auckland with New Zealand chasing a clean sweep after edging England 16-15 on Saturday evening. 

MATCH REPORT: A much-changed France eased past Argentina 28-13 in Mendoza on Saturday in Felipe Contepomi's first game in charge of the hosts.

OPINION: South Africa cemented their No.1 ranking with a hard-earned 27-20 win over Ireland at a packed Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the Ireland players after their 20-27 loss to South African in Pretoria on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks recorded their first win over Ireland in eight years after they edged Saturday's Loftus Versfeld encounter 27-20.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international between South Africa and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: The defending- champion Cheetahs got their 2024 Currie Cup season off to the perfect start.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi revealed that winning the breakdown battle would be key in his team's effort to secure a sought-after win over Ireland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies have started their new era under coach Joe Schmidt with a confidence-building win after getting the better of Wales 25-16 at Sydney’s Football Stadium.

OPINION: The Wallabies gave Wales a great welcome to Sydney as they defeated the visitors 25-16 at the Sydney Football Stadium in the first of their July Tests.

REACTION: New All Black boss Scott Robertson admitted Saturday that the grinding win over England had delivered him a stark reality check on his Test coaching debut after seven years of dominance in Super Rugby.

MATCH REPORT: The Joe Schmidt era started with a 25-16 win for Australia over a willing Wales team.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international between Australia and Wales in Sydney.READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international between Australia and Wales in Sydney.

PREVIEW: The teams - players and coaches alike - will tell you the Currie Cup remains South Africa's premier domestic competitions.

OPINION: England will leave Dunedin knowing they had a very real chance to earn their first win against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in 21 years, but ultimately fell 16-15 as the hosts were able to grind their way to a win. But it was a Test match that could have gone either way

OPINION: The All Blacks finished with a tight 16-15 win over England in Scott Robertson’s first Test as All Blacks head coach.

MATCH REPORT: It was case of so near yet so far as the All Blacks secured a narrow 16-15 win over England in Dunedin.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international between New Zealand and England in Dunedin.

MATCH REPORT: Romania has beaten the United States 22-20 in Chicago on Friday despite being reduced to 13 players at the end of the game.

SPOTLIGHT: According to Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, his side will come up against the best set-piece in world rugby when they face the World Champions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

WRAP: Both Eastern Province and Western Province emerged as winners on the final day of the U18 Girls week that took place at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg - contributing the most players of a new Elite Player Development squad that was named on Friday. 

MATCH REPORT: The Lions opened their 2024 Currie Cup season with a hard-fought 26-20 win over the Sharks in Durban.

SPOTLIGHT: Deon Fourie believes the Springboks are solely out to solidify their status as the #BestInTheWorld when they take on Ireland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. 

PREVIEW: Whether revenge or unfinished business, one thing is certain when South Africa take on Ireland.

MATCH REPORT: The Pumas opened their 2024 Currie Cup campaign with a statement win away from home against the Griquas in Kimberley.

TRANSFER NEWS: Springbok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg will link up with French Top 14 finalists Bordeaux-Begles who announced the transfer on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tony Brown's new attacking game plan has gotten the full backing from Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard.

REACTION: The South African Under-20 team is in a compromising position after going down to Argentina at a wet Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Thursday.

MATCH REPORT: Samoa recovered from a 10-point deficit to beat Italy 33-25 in a sweltering Test in Apia on Friday.

NEWS: Former Brumbies boss and Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar has been appointed Waratahs coach for the next three Super Rugby seasons.

PREVIEW: The big question is: 'Will the All Blacks be Razor sharp?'

FIRST TEST PREVIEW: Scrumhalf Baptiste Serin will skipper a new-look France team with eight uncapped players for Saturday's international against Argentina in Mendoza.

FIRST TEST PREVIEW: All-action captain Liam Wright is pledging to lead from the front as the Wallabies strive to usher in a golden new era under coach Joe Schmidt.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has revealed the ranking permutations for the July internationals this weekend.

VIDEO: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has come out in support of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus picking an Irish side on social media this week. 

ROUND TWO WRAP: Argentina clinched a convincing victory over hosts South Africa as Italy stunned Australia in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship on Thursday.

NEWS: England captain Jamie George is confident in his side's ability to snap a 21-year drought in New Zealand. 

THURSDAY WRAP Victories for Boland, Western Province and the Sharks saw these sides extend their respective winning runs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi on Thursday named a refreshed team to face France this weekend in his first Test in charge of Los Pumas.

NEWS: The Bulls announced the return of utility forward Sintu Manjezi who signed on the dotted line until 2028.

A lot has changed since Ireland secured a 13-8 win over South Africa in the World Cup pool phase in France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has revealed a powerful matchday squad to face South Africa in Saturday’s first Test at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

VIDEO: Ireland wing Calvin Nash says Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is a mastermind and great mentor.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Munster centre Alex Nankivell has received a three-game suspension for foul play in his team's final game of the season.

NEWS: The Western Force have added another fixture to their South African trip later this year.

REACTION: New All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said that star playmaker Beauden Barrett took being named on the bench for the first Test against England "like a pro".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia coach Joe Schmidt named Liam Wright as Wallaby captain in a new-look team to face Wales.

REACTION: Joe Schmidt isn't ruling out the captaincy merry-go-round continuing after elevating "natural leader" Liam Wright to Wallabies skipper for his first Test side since replacing Eddie Jones as coach.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Māori All Black head coach Ross Filipo has made a handful of changes to his team as they look to secure their second win against Japan XV this Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wing Josh Hathaway was handed a Wales debut with Ben Thomas starting at flyhalf in the first Test against Australia as the visitors look to snap a seven-game losing streak.

NEWS: Jack Rowell, the man who turned Bath into a rugby power and coached England to the semifinals of the 1995 World Cup, has died at the age of 87.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New All Black coach Scott Robertson on Thursday left star playmaker Beauden Barrett on the bench for the first Test against England in Dunedin.

NEWS: Australia lock Kane Douglas has signed a one-year deal with La Rochelle.

WRAP: Border, Eastern Province, the Golden Lions and Western Province continued their dominant run when they claimed big wins in the final round of the Under-18 Girls Week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The marketing tag line of 'unfinished business' between South Africa and Ireland is not part of the Springbok conversation.

NEWS: Ruan Nortje has extended his contract with the Bulls until 2027.

INTERVIEW: Senior All Blacks are enjoying the energy brought by new head honcho Scott Robertson.

VIDEO: Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell has no gripe with the whole social media hype created by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

NEWS: The Lions have agreed to an early release of their Springbok flyhalf.

PREVIEW: Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko is preparing his side for a huge physical battle in Thursday’s World Rugby Under-20 Championship encounter with Argentina in Stellenbosch.

INTERVIEW: Microscopic attention to details has helped turn Ireland into a powerhouse.

VIDEO: VIDEO: South Africa's two Springbok locks are the best in the business.

INTERVIEW: Without a franchise for 2025 following the Melbourne Rebels' axing from Super Rugby Pacific, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto insists he's only focused for now on the Wallabies.

NEWS: NRL-bound Mark Nawaqanitawase has been catapulted into an Olympic debut, the flying Wallaby wing a shock addition to Australia's Sevens team.

REACTION: French Top 14 side Toulon said they will appeal after being fined €500,000 (US$537,000) by the National Rugby League for lack of transparency and co-operation in the 2022/23 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an experienced squad featuring 20 World Cup-winners.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' new attack coach Tony Brown is on a mission to get the best out of the team's playmakers Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok.

TRANSFER NEWS: South African loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani has joined the band of overseas players in France's Top 14 when he was named among the new recruits by Racing 92 on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Loosehead prop Mako Vunipola has become the latest former England international to join a French club after newly-promoted Top 14 side Vannes announced his arrival on a two-year deal on Tuesday.

POOL DRAWS: The Sharks have been drawn in the same pool as Stade Toulousain for the 2024/2025 Champions Cup season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed why he omitted flyhalf Manie Libbok from his matchday squad ahead of South Africa's highly anticipated Test against Ireland on Saturday.

WRAP: Eastern Province, Western Province, the Sharks and South Western Districts were among the big winners in the first round of the Under-16 girls week staged at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

NEWS: Bulls forward Nizaam Carr has been appointed to lead the side during the Currie Cup campaign.

STAT ATTACK: After announcing his matchday squad for the first Test against Ireland, it has become clear that Rassie Erasmus is banking on the tried and tested to get his side over the line.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus ramps up the verbal jousting ahead of the first Test in a two-match series between South Africa and Ireland.

NEWS: One of the most recognisable and decorated players in the game, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, has announced she will retire from international rugby after the Paris Olympics.

SPOTLIGHT: Not feeling he has any point to prove, Tom Wright credits simple "dad strength" for his rocketing into favouritism to regain the Wallabies fullback role.

INTERVIEW: Grant Williams confirmed that attack coach Tony Brown has challenged the Springbok halfbacks to think differently about decision-making and space ahead of the two-Test series against Ireland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England recalled experienced props Joe Marler and Will Stuart to face New Zealand in the first Test in Dunedin on Saturday.

DAY ONE WRAP: Eastern Province and Border claimed big wins in the first round of the Under-18 Girls Week staged at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg on Monday.

Fiji wing Filipo Nakosi has joined Vannes on a two-year deal from Castres, the newly promoted French Top 14 side announced on Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This week the new laws will be in full effect when the Springboks take on Ireland on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Veteran New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor is expecting a brutal opening Test against England as the All Blacks begin a new era under Scott Robertson.

NEWS: Speculation around Jasper Wiese's playing future has finally ended.

OPINION: The make-up of the replacement bench may get more headlines, but the starting XV of Rassie Erasmus' selection holds the key to the opening Test in the two-match series between South Africa and Ireland.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok superstar Cheslin Kolbe wants to make a positive impact in the lives of all South Africans and he is out to achieve this goal with his wife Layla.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Lions have confirmed a number of new signings ahead of the 2024/2025 season.

REACTION: A changed status and rumours abound, but the Stormers are willing to give Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba space to make a call on his future.

SPOTLIGHT: With just a few days before the Test between South Africa and Ireland in Pretoria, Rassie Erasmus has turned on the mind games.

NEWS: A familiar face was spotted in the All Black camp ahead of their Test against England in Dunedin on Saturday.

REACTION: Junior Bok head coach Bafana Nhleko admits that playing Liam Koen at flyhalf in the opening game of the 2024 World Rugby Under-20 Championship was a risk that paid off.

INJURY UPDATE: Australian back Kurtley Beale was ruled out of the Test series against Wales on Monday with a ruptured Achilles that needs surgery, in a massive blow to the returning playmaker.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's top schoolgirls will be in action at the Under-16 and Under-18 weeks staged at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg from Monday.

NEWS: Former Wallaby captain Michael Hooper has announced his retirement from all forms of the game in Australia after missing selection for the Sevens team at the Paris Olympics.

The Junior Springboks made a solid start to their title hunt with a compelling 57-7 victory over Fiji.

ROUND THREE WRAP: Boland gained a third straight win and their first at home of the campaign when they defeated rivals SWD Eagles 43-7 in their First Division clash on Saturday in Ceres.

REACTION: When Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus announced the squad for the Ireland series, the usual chorus of displeasure arose from supporters.

ROUND ONE WRAP: England put in an exceptional second-half performance while France opened their title defence with a resounding win over Spain in the Under-20 World Championships in Cape Town.

INJURY UPDATE: Scans on Kurtley Beale are expected to confirm the recalled Wallaby veteran has ruptured his Achilles, possibly bringing an end to his career.

OPINION: @rugby365com reporter Angus Opperman looks back on the 2023/24 URC season and rates each South African side out of 10

Springbok Women's Sevens Head Coach, Renfred Dazel, expressed satisfaction at the end of their two-week Olympic Games camp in Potchefstroom and said all planned objectives had been met at the conclusion of the exercise on Saturday.

DAY FIVE WRAP: Western Province overcame a spirited Free State side in the final match of the Under-18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp while Boland and the Pumas secured victories on Saturday to end their respective campaigns on a high.

Toulouse and France hooker Peato Mauvaka has extended his stay with the French giants for a further three years until 2029.

Former England international Billy Twelvetrees has retired at the age of 35, his club Ealing Trailfinders announced.

France and Toulouse scrumhalf Antoine Dupont played a starring role yet again for his club as they thrashed Bordeaux-Begles by 59-3 to claim a third Champions Cup and Top 14 title double. 

NEWS: The Hurricanes have signed four players ahead of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, including 20-year-old scrumhalf Jordi Viljoen who will continue to “follow in my dad’s footsteps” by representing the club for two more years.

WATCH as @rugby365com reporter Angus Opperman sits down with BlitzBok stalwart Ryan Oosthuizen to chat about qualifying for the Paris Olympics. 

REPORT: A superb Antoine Dupont said on Friday it was "incredible" for Toulouse to secure a domestic and Champions Cup double with victory in the French Top 14 Final as he scored twice in a 59-3 rout of Bordeaux Begles

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reveals the dramatic change in the pecking order amongst the national team's hookers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Golden Lions hooker Esethu Mnebelele and Blue Bulls lock JD Hattingh will captain the SA Schools and SA Schools 'A' teams respectively in the annual match between the two sides.

RECAP: The next generation of global superstars will be at the forefront of some law innovations when the World Rugby Under-20 Championship and U20 Trophy get underway in Cape Town on June 29 and Edinburgh on July 2 respectively.

SPOTLIGHT: The Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith has managed to outline a perfect blueprint to beat the altitude at Loftus Versfeld.

ROUND THREE PREVIEW: The First Division leaders the Boland Cavaliers, are playing home in an exciting clash with SWD Eagles in a third-round fixture in Ceres on Saturday.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: It is that time of the year again when the spotlight will fall on some of the world's best young players.

WATCH as the Ireland squad touched down in Johannesburg for their two Test matches against the Springboks.

INTERVIEW: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and his team wrapped up their training camp in Pretoria on Friday.

WATCH as the Boks Office team assesses the Tony Brown factor after his first game in charge of the Springbok attack.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bulls have signed former Junior Springbok Alulutho Tshakweni on an initial two-year deal.

NEWS: The Waratahs have confirmed that they had signed former Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui to their new created position of Director of Performance. 

SPOTLIGHT: Tim Ryan has been ordered to bulk up and bide his time by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.

DAY FOUR WRAP: Free State and the Pumas remain unbeaten after claiming important wins on the fourth day of the Under-18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.

VIDEO: Springbok wings Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse will make a timely return for the Test series against Ireland after recovering from their injuries.

VIDEO: The fractious rivalry between Ireland and South Africa is very entertaining for Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

NEWS: The Bulls have unveiled their new Currie Cup coach for the 2024 season. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are six debutants set to don the Mãori All Blacks jersey for the first time in their first clash against a Japan XV in Tokyo at the Chichibunomiya Stadium this Saturday.

VIDEO: The Springboks' captain against Wales last weekend, Pieter-Steph du Toit had just one message for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu when the youngster stepped up to take a 52m penalty kick.

NEWS: The next chapter in Michael Cheika's career has been confirmed.

PREVIEW: Toulouse superstar Antoine Dupont heads into Friday's French Top 14 final with Bordeaux-Begles knowing it could kickstart a glittering mid-year that the scrumhalf will hopes has a golden lining.

SPOTLIGHT: The 2024 edition of the Super Rugby Pacific competition showed a significant increase in viewership numbers.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus ends speculation over the team's captaincy.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies fans should not expect overnight success after Joe Schmidt confessed to never being less prepared for a first Test in charge as a new coach.

NEWS: Wales is targeting semifinal places as a minimum at the next men’s World Cup in 2027 and the 2029 Women’s World Cup as part of a new five-year plan

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Five capped players are among a group of 13 in the Springbok Sevens A squad to leave for Mauritius on Thursday to participate in the Africa Sevens Series.

DAY THREE WRAP: Boland and Western Province extended their respective winning streaks while the Sharks and Falcons claimed victories on the third day of the U18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.

TRANSFER NEWS: Aphiwe Dyantyi has penned a two-year deal with the Bulls.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland star Garry Ringrose did not underestimate the mammoth challenge that awaits his team when they travel to South Africa to take on the back-to-back World Cup champions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The name Edwill van der Merwe has been making headlines following the Springboks' opening match of the international season against Wales on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa's strength in depth across most positions could be the difference when they meet Ireland in an attritional two-match battle this July.

SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks must "front up" to the firepower of England's forwards to avoid a repeat of their shock 2019 defeat.

SPOTLIGHT: The Junior Springboks are leaving no stone unturned as they prepare for Saturday’s World Rugby Under-20 opening encounter with Fiji at Cape Town Stadium, according to assistant coach Lumumba Currie.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt says his team will not pay any attention to comments about altitude ahead of their two-Test series in South Africa.

VIDEO: Kyle Steyn had to move halfway across the world to pursue his rugby dream and on Saturday it all came full circle as he lifted the United Rugby Championship trophy with his Glasgow teammates at Loftus Versfeld.

NEWS: World Rugby has reappointed Christopher Quinlan as Independent Judicial Panel Chairman as the international federation seeks to continue to develop and streamline its off-field disciplinary processes.

DAY TWO WRAP: The Blue Bulls secured a narrow victory over the Golden Lions, while there were big wins for the Western Province XV, Pumas and Free State on the second day of the Under-18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.

NEWS: Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship, has penned a heartfelt letter of thanks to the Bulls for hosting an epic Final.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls are officially saying goodbye to one of their playmakers.

WATCH as a bitterly disappointed Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White produces a few pearlers that had social media hacks salivating.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a strong 39-man squad and an additional 14 players on a standby list for the test series against Ireland. 

NEWS: Tickets for the Women’s World Cup 2025 opening match and Final will go on sale from September this year.

UPDATE: SARU and WPRFU administrator Peter Jooste met with new 'legal' resistance from a fringe political party and its advocacy group of supporters to their plans to sell the Newlands stadium.

JERSEY LAUNCH: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) revealed their latest All Black jersey designs due to be worn for the 2024 international season.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt says some of the spicy comments coming from Bok stars in recent months will not add any fuel to the fire ahead of next month's two-Test series in South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: Welcoming a clean slate, Noah Lolesio hopes to finally nail down the Wallabies No.10 slot after being handed a golden opportunity under new coach Joe Schmidt.

NEWS: The victorious Springboks had their return flight to South Africa on Sunday cancelled and they reacted in typical South African fashion.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Māori All Black selectors Ross Filipo, Roger Randle, Greg Feek and Jamie Joseph have announced a 28-strong squad ahead of the team’s two-match series against Japan XV in Japan.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has reported a financial loss of almost NZ$9 million in 2023.

NEWS: Australian official Angus Gardner has withdrawn from refereeing duties during the South Africa versus Ireland series for ‘personal reasons'.

NEWS: Montpellier flyhalf Louis Carbonel has been ruled out of France's South America tour with a hamstring injury.

WRAP: Western Province was among the big winners on an eventful opening day at the Under-18 Craven Week staged at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.

REACTION: Last Saturday's United Rugby Championship Final will be one big lesson for Bulls captain Ruan Nortje.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Waren Gatland has confirmed the 34-player squad that will travel to Australia on June 26. 

REACTION: Hurricanes scrumhalf TJ Perenara has completed a remarkable comeback to the All Blacks after snapping his Achilles tendon in late 2022.

VIDEO: Two years ago the Glasgow Warriors had whiskey in polystyrene cups and on Saturday their coach Franco Smith and his side celebrated their United Rugby Championship win with a dram of whisky and a cigar.

SPOTLIGHT: Kurtley Beale is ready to play anywhere in the Wallabies backline after confessing to shedding a tear at his unexpected recall after almost four years in the international wilderness.

REACTION: They did it the hard way, but South Africa finally managed to book their ticket to the Paris Olympics for a third consecutive time since Sevens was introduced in 2016.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: All Black head coach Scott Robertson has revealed his squad for the upcoming mid-year Tests.

VIDEO: A dejected Jake White, Director of Rugby at the Bulls, said his team will be back after they were beaten 21-16 by a Glasgow Warriors side that seemed to have the perfect plan in the United Rugby Championship Final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland's headaches increased at the weekend, amidst claims a player walked over the coach's attitude.

REPECHAGE WRAP: It required nine months of hard work - with many ups and downs - but South Africa finally booked their place in the Paris Olympic Sevens.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthie has named 22 uncapped players in his final squad for next month's three-game tour of South America.

WATCH as Pieter Stephanus du Toit chats to @king365ed about captaining South Africa to victory over Wales.

PREVIEW: South Africa's top schoolboys will be in action at the Under-18 Craven Week, which will be staged at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp over the next six days.

WRAP: Bordeaux-Begles saw Stade Francais flyhalf Joris Segonds miss a last-gasp conversion to secure a 22-20 win and a place in the Top 14 Final.

REPORT: Former All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock has signed off his career in fitting style, leading the Barbarians to a 45-32 win over Fiji in a thrilling clash at Twickenham.

SQUAD UPDATE: England have called up some reinforcement after lock Charlie Ewels was handed a red card during his team's 52-17 win over Japan on Saturday. 

ROUND TWO WRAP: The Boland are now the only unbeaten team left following another round of exciting First Division action on Saturday, after they gained a 48-31 victory over Eastern Province at the Wolfson Stadium for their second bonus-point win of the new campaign.

SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks could unleash forward-based power game on England in next month's Test series, the Chiefs coach has predicted after the Blues thumped his team in the Super Rugby Pacific Final with a similar style of play.

MATCH REPORT: South Africa raced to a comfortable 41-13 win in their once-off Test at Twickenham on Saturday - handing Wales their seventh-consecutive loss.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors have been crowned the 2024 United Rugby Championship champs after they beat the Bulls 21-16 in an epic comeback at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

OPINION: The Glasgow Warriors were crowned the new United Rugby Championship title holders, by beating the Bulls at their own game - winning 21-16 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reveals what plans he has to get the squad together ahead of the two-Test series against Ireland.

NEWS: The Blitzboks are through to the World Rugby Repechage tournament quarterfinal after a successful day two in Monaco

WATCH as Glasgow Warriors celebrate their first United Rugby Championship title at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

OPINION: Glasgow Warriors defied the odds to beat the Bulls and lift the URC Final trophy in a thrilling win at Loftus Versfeld.

NEWS: English Premiership giants Leicester have mutually agreed to part company with head coach Dan McKellar with immediate effect.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Final face-off between the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

OPINION: A rusty Springbok side had too much firepower for Wales at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: Warren Gatland’s Wales were brave but just didn’t have the firepower to live with the Springboks after a yellow card filled opening quarter.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the one-off international between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham in London.

REACTION: Eddie Jones said Japan were "going in the right direction" despite being thrashed 52-17 by England in Tokyo on Saturday in the first game of his second stint in charge.

The Springboks' new four-year cycle officially gets underway later today when they face Wales at Twickenham Stadium in London.

REACTION: Some of the Blues stars reflected on their long journey with the team after they beat the Chiefs 41-10 in Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific Final at Eden Park.

REPORT: Defending champions Toulouse reached the French Top 14 Final with a 39-23 victory over La Rochelle.

REACTION: England's Marcus Smith said he feels like one of the team's elder statesmen after leading them to a resounding 52-17 win over Japan in Saturday's Test in Tokyo.

VIDEO: Sergeal Petersen has stepped out of the cold directly into the cauldron of a United Rugby Championship Final for the Bulls against Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Match Report: The Blues outmuscle the Chiefs 41-10 in the Final to be crowned Super Rugby Pacific champions.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific Final face-off between the Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland.

The hope from an English perspective was that this summer tour opener in Japan would see a continuation of the March attacking flourish witnessed in the final two rounds of the Six Nations.

Eddie Jones’ inexperienced Japan side may have slumped to a 52-17 loss in Tokyo, but there were performances that would have pleased the coach in his first game back.

Match Report: England beat Japan 52-17 in their first-ever Test match in Tokyo on Saturday.

The BlitzBoks side are off to the perfect start after a proper outing against Mexico in Monaco.

REACTION: Springbok legend Frans Steyn took to social media to respond to Israel Dagg's recent comments about South Africa and Super Rugby.

PREVIEW: The Springboks will be out to make a big statement when they take on Wales in their first test match as back-to-back World Cup champions.

WRAP: It was a perfect Grant Khomo week for the Free State XV and Western Province who finished the tournament unbeaten at Grey High School. 

STAT ATTACK: There has been loads of talk around the selection of Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf for the Springboks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith has gone with consistency and opted to pick the same starting line-up to face the Bulls in the Final of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Kurt-Lee Arendse is back for the United Rugby Championship Final between the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday after undergoing cheekbone surgery a fortnight ago.

NEWS: The Griquas Rugby Referees' Management team issued a statement condemning an incident of abuse involving one of their "esteemed female referees", Cameron Dyers.

PREVIEW: All roads lead to Loftus Versfeld when the Bulls host the United Rugby Championship Final against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt has named a 38-man squad ahead of Tests against Georgia and Wales. 

NEWS: Blues captain and All Black lock Patrick Tuipulotu admitted being surprised by how fast he recovered to captain his side against the Chiefs in the Super Rugby final this Saturday. 

SPOTLIGHT: When Franco Smith took over at Glasgow Warriors, the first thing he did was set high standards.

WATCH as a few Bok legends discuss Leinster's loss to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship semifinals and whether it will have a significant impact on the upcoming South Africa v Ireland series.

VIDEO: Bulls and Springbok flank Marco van Staden says the Final this weekend is what the Bulls have been working on from the start.

ROUND TWO PREVIEW: The First Division champions, Boland Cavaliers travel to Port-Elizabeth for a consecutive away fixture in the opening two rounds of the First Division. 

PREVIEW: England come face to face with former boss Eddie Jones when they play his new-look Japan in a Test in sweltering Tokyo on Saturday.

WATCH as the Boks Office crew reveals the player they think the Springboks will miss the most during the upcoming internationals.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says his squad has put last year's success firmly behind them as they get ready for their first showdown of 2024.

NEWS: The South African Rugby Union reported a deficit of ZAR6.8 million before tax in 2023.

SPOTLIGHT: The BlitzBoks will be looking for some joy at the end of a tough season in the HSBC SVNS World Series.

WRAP: Traditional rivals, the Blue Bulls and Western Province, bagged vital wins while the Golden Lions edged Eastern Province on Day Two of Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth.

NEWS: Australia’s Izack Rodda will join Provence for next season, the ambitious French second-tier club announced on Thursday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has named a much-changed squad for next month's Tests with France and Uruguay, leaving out 15 members of the set-up at last year's World Cup.

WATCH as New Zealander Josh McKay chats to @king365ed about the URC Final between the Glasgow Warriors and their hosts, the Bulls.

TEAM UPDATE: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has tweaked his matchday squad two days before his team's Test against South Africa at Twickenham Stadium.

AWARDS: Munster’s Jack Crowley has been named the United Rugby Championship's Players’ Player of the Season, capping off an incredible awards season for the young playmaker.

VIDEO: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus needs to ensure the World Champions have the same DNA as last year when they won the World Cup.

VIDEO: Evan Roos makes his return to the Green and Gold almost a year after his last game against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Top 14 semifinalists Toulouse and La Rochelle will write another chapter in their storied rivalry this weekend.

NEWS: Tickets for the Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium on September 7 are sold out, but the process has left many supporters frustrated and furious.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Japan head coach Eddie Jones has named a new-look Japan side to lock horns against his former team, England.

NEWS: Racing 92's South African-born lock Bernard Le Roux has hung up his boots after 21 months out with injury.

INTERVIEW: Wales flank Taine Plumtree plans to adopt a "nothing to lose" approach when he makes his Test-match return against world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Robert du Preez has made a decision on his future in England.

VIDEO: World Cup-winning prop Vincent Koch almost reached his 50th cap for the Springboks against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday from the bench was it not for his teammate Frans Malherbe.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales will have a mammoth task in the physical exchanges against the Springboks at Twickenham on Saturday.

WATCH as Eddie Jones and Rassie Erasmus talk about what set Pieter-Steph du Toit apart from the average player.

NEWS: World Rugby confirmed the withdrawal of Papua New Guinea's men and women teams from the Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco from June 21 to 23.

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed it is operating an initial closed trial of modifications to the Television Match Ofiicial protocol.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls star Ruan Vermaak said his team can't afford to "fall asleep" in the United Rugby Championship Final like they did last month against the same opponents.

AWARDS: Munster’s Graham Rowntree has been voted United Rugby Championship Coach of the Season.

PREVIEW: The Blues have been boosted by the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu for their Super Rugby Pacific Final against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday.

Cornel Smit is not downplaying the immense pressure on the Bulls as they get ready to host Glasgow Warriors in the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship Final at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Sevens squad is keen to make their last opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Olympics count and join their regular foes in Paris.

WATCH as URC Head of Referees Tappe Henning talks about the key areas for match officials to focus on at Loftus on Saturday.

NEWS: Billionaire-backed French club Montpellier on Tuesday promoted their former hooker Joan Caudullo to replace coach Patrice Collazo who was relieved of his duties the day before.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has revealed a 35-man squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland readily accepted the 'underdog' tag for his team's mid-year Test against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand's most capped player Sam Whitelock will captain the Barbarians in his final game when they play Fiji this weekend, the invitational side said on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions playmaker Sanele Nohamba has been named URC Player of the Season 2024 following a fantastic campaign with the Johannesburg-based franchise.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Warren Gatland has named the Wales team to face South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: EPCR announced that Black Lion from Georgia and South Africa’s Cheetahs will continue their participation as invited clubs in the EPCR Challenge Cup for the next two seasons following approval from the tournament organiser’s Board.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting matchday 23 that will be captained by flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and features four uncapped players.

NEWS: The Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchise Queensland Reds will undergo a two-game European tour, which includes a landmark match against Ulster in 2025.

NEWS: One year after becoming the first Italian match official to referee a United Rugby Championship Grand Final, Andrea Piardi has been appointed to this season’s showpiece decider in Pretoria where the Bulls meet Glasgow Warriors.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Steve Borthwick named his team to play Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.

REACTION: South Africa's two-times World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi ended his first campaign with French club Racing 92 trophyless.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland No.8 Jack Conan has been ruled out of the upcoming tour to South Africa.

NEWS: Former France prop Patrice Collazo will leave his role at billionaire-backed Montpellier after guiding the club to the Top 14 safety.

NEWS: Highlanders back Connor Garden-Bachop has died aged 25 after an unspecified "medical event", New Zealand Rugby said on Tuesday.

NEWS: Boland edged the Golden Lions while Western Province, the Blue Bulls and Sharks claimed valuable wins on day one of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England’s Under-20 squad to travel to South Africa for the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship has been confirmed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabian Galthie named 19 uncapped players in his initial squad for the mid-year tour to South America.

NEWS: Five former players from leading French club Grenoble will stand trial from Monday over allegations that three of them gang-raped a student after a 2017 match.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: BlitzBoks Women’s coach Renfred Dazel invited a group of 17 players to a Paris 2024 Olympic Games preparation camp in Potchefstroom, with the squad assembling on Monday.

WATCH as Eddie Jones talks about the reasons behind South Africa's ability to win back-to-back World Cup tournaments.

REACTION: Leinster are heading back to Dublin and the drawing board after their United Rugby Championship semifinal defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

SPOTLIGHT: It is clear after three seasons there is certainly no one dominating the United Rugby Championship and if there was domination, it isn’t coming from the Irish.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith admitted it was 'really tense' towards the end, but his team now heads to Pretoria for a URC Final face-off with the Bulls.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wales have called up versatile loose forward James Botham in the squad for their test against the Springboks.

OPINION: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has the skill-set to fill the boots of Willie le Roux and Damian Willemse as the Springboks' fullback-cum-first receiver in the mid-year Tests.

PREVIEW: South Africa’s top Under-16 schoolboys will be in action at the Grant Khomo Week, which will be staged at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth over the next five days.

REACTION: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree admitted that his team wasted a lot of opportunities in their United Rugby Championship semifinal against Glasgow Warriors in Limerick.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The opening round of the First Division saw wins for all the away sides with the Boland Cavaliers, Eastern Province and Leopards claiming victories in their respective matches. 

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls are running the risk a third member of their famous World Cup-winning group through injury, following their 25-20 United Rugby Championship semifinal win over Leinster.

OPINION: The Warriors recovered from a dodgy start, particularly in the forwards, but settled and were brave enough not to be afraid to make a mistake.

VIDEO: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has a formidable list of conquests, including a World Cup gold medal. Watch as he reveals where the weekend's URC semifinal win over Leinster rates.

After claiming their second away win for the season, La Rochelle booked their spot in the French Top 14 semifinal - defeating Toulon by 34-29. 

VIDEO: Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown can open up the eyes of the national team's backline players.

NEWS: New Zealand has set their sights on another Samoan to bolster the All Black roster.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship semifinal face-off between Munster and Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park in Limerick.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors will travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls in next weekend's United Rugby Championship Final.

OPINION: Munster’s reign as URC champions came to an abrupt end as they lost at home to the Glasgow Warriors.

OPINION: Leinster lost in a URC semifinal for the third successive year. Ian Cameron rates their players after the 20-25 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.

OPINION: The Bulls tackled Leinster into submission to reach the United Rugby Championship for a second time.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls advanced to their second United Rugby Championship Final with a 25-20 victory over Irish giants Leinster in Pretoria on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship semifinal face-off between the Bulls and Leinster at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

REACTION: History will be made as the Blues and the Chiefs clash in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Final at Eden Park in Auckland next Saturday, June 22.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs have beaten the Hurricanes 30-19 in the semifinal of Super Rugby to advance to the final.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reveals the surprising number of players ruled out of first Ireland Test.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal face-off between the Hurricanes and Chiefs in Wellington.

WATCH as Leinster assistant coach Robin McBryde previews their URC semifinal face-off against the Bulls and Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

WATCH as double World Cup winner Willie le Roux joins the Behind the Ruck podcast and talks about Die Strandhond that became a Bull.

SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship’s elite XV has been unveiled for the 2023/2024 season, with South African stars dominating the selection. 

NEWS: Two-time World Cup winner Sam Whitelock has been added to the Barbarians squad for next week's match against Fiji at Twickenham.

The South Africa Sevens side will welcome back the experienced duo of Zain Davids and Shilton van Wyk for their final Olympic qualifier tournament in Monaco.

The opening match of First Division will be a rematch of the 2023 Final.

PREVIEW: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has labelled himself a realist when describing his team's chances against Irish giants Leinster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship semifinal.

Watch as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi shows his support for Springbok women star Babalwa Latsha following her recent contract renewal with Harlequins.